Page 3808 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 22 November 2006
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a Green Star—Education As Built rating tool in order to fund projects within our schools to improve energy efficiency.
I am also pleased to note that it is not just our schools that are becoming more ecologically sustainable. The CIT has also embraced the need to contribute to sustainability in our environment and over the past decade the CIT has progressively implemented a range of strategies to reduce energy and water consumption and to recycle waste. These strategies include: building management systems; process timers and movement detectors for lighting control; installation of window reflective film; installation of power factor correction equipment; replacement of inefficient hot water boilers; the modification and reconfiguration of steam boilers; the installation of eco light transformers on fluorescent light circuits; the installation of timers on hot water units and solar hot water for areas of the Reid campus and the student accommodation buildings at Bruce.
Recycling schemes have also been introduced for paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium and plastic containers. Concrete and brick recycling from the construction workshops has been implemented, as has steel recycling from the metal work areas. In the cafeterias, glass, aluminium and plastic recycling is available for consumers.
To reduce water consumption, the CIT has drilled bores at Bruce and Weston campuses for irrigation, and a dam has been constructed at Weston to recycle the runoff from this irrigation, Dr Foskey. Dual flush cisterns have also been installed throughout campuses, as well as AAA showerheads and restriction valves on taps. Solar panels have been installed at the Bruce campus to supply green energy and heating systems have been made more efficient with the aim of consuming less energy. Overall, these measures have combined to reduce energy consumption by over 35 per cent. Water consumption has been reduced by 40 per cent and waste disposal has been reduced by 45 per cent.
I am also informed by the CIT that electricity, gas and water consumption audits have been carried out to identify further areas of energy savings, maintenance costs savings, higher efficiencies and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. It is worth noting that the CIT is a leading provider of courses that teach students about emerging sustainable technologies in areas such as engineering, automotive, construction and plumbing. Plumbers at CIT learn about rainwater tanks and grey water systems. Electricians study solar energy and gain skills in setting up systems that allow solar power to be returned to the grid. The CIT is educating the workers of the future. They will be able to readily install systems that will lead to our society overall being more ecologically sustainable.
Ecological sustainability is the responsibility of all of us. In my portfolio of education and training we are taking the responsibility very seriously. We are adopting sustainable approaches to buildings and facilities and also, importantly, educating students on the importance of respecting our environment.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (5.34): First of all, I would like to congratulate Mr Barr on a truly splendid exercise in recycling. I think we heard that speech last Wednesday. Some of it I have heard several times, and the bit about the Harrison school I heard in the estimates hearings and in questions without notice today and last week.
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